Erica Abramo, Mariner Car Wash & Detailing Center, St. Petersburg.
By ELLEN MOSES
Published December 7, 2003
Is this full or part time for you?
It's part time. I'm in 11th grade at St. Pete High.
What kind of hours do you work?
I come right from school. I take the bus and get here around 2:20 (p.m.) and then I work until 5:30. And then Saturdays all day, so it's 8 to 5:30 p.m.
How long have you been doing this?
I started the summer after I turned 15. My mom and everybody talked about it and thought it would be a good idea, so I just kind of stuck with it. And it being a family business and all, it was the first option.
What are your primary job responsibilities?
I'm a service writer and cashier. Monday and Thursday is when I'm on the register, and that's just dealing with the money and closing out. But the service writer, or ticket writer, is out back at the yellow booth there. Someone pulls their car up, and I'm the first person that they really talk to. Basically, anyone who comes in, I offer them the washes that we have, or work with them to figure out what they want.
How do you write up a service order?
We have a computer system back there (by car wash) and basically I just punch in the information. (The car) goes through on the track and everything is programmed in by their tag (number.)
So you're programming the wash part and writing directions for additional service?
Yeah. Usually you write on the car with a wax crayon, and hopefully it stays on the car when it comes through (the wash) and that's telling the guys outside that "hey, this needs to be done."
What are the "extras" that you have to keep track of?
Well, we have a lot of different waxes and Armor All services that we can do. There's a couple that go on in the (wash) tunnel so it's no extra time. And there are some that we do outside.
How many cars go through here on a busy day?
I just know it's a lot. Several hundred probably. Usually Saturday is our busiest day.
How do you split your time between service writer and cashier duties?
Probably 60-40. More service writing than cashier.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I guess it's just meeting and seeing new people. Being able to talk to different people in the community that I normally wouldn't speak to. I've got people that come through that are like really good friends, almost like surrogate grandparents, that I see all the time. That, and then I have my family right here.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
I guess when you get really busy and you get pulled in a lot of different directions. There's not really one task I don't like doing, but I guess drying off the cars out front isn't very much fun.
Did you start out in this position?
I started out drying cars. I dried cars for a whole summer, which is like initiation I guess you could call it. But after that, he (grandfather/owner) bumped me up to the computer. And then I gradually got doing other stuff, like I can do the Armor All outside when we get busy.
What kind of personality traits do you need for this job?
You definitely need to be a diplomat. I think just to be able to cooperate with people and listen. Being able to manage your time too, because if you're taking too long on one thing, then you're not getting on to the next one.
Is this a stressful job?
It can be. When everything is working the right way it usually isn't, unless we get just get completely bombarded. But usually it's not too bad. But Saturdays, yes, are more stressful usually.
How much money do you make?
Well, it varies. I started out at minimum wage and I worked my way up. Right now I'm making about $6.25 (an hour) plus commission for when I'm writing tickets. For every Armor All or wax, there's a percentage of that that I get because it's like an incentive to sell.
What would your dream job be?
Well, I really love art - drawing and painting - so something with art. My friends think maybe fashion design. I think maybe I'd like to do some kind of animation.
How does this compare with other after-school jobs your friends have?
Even with all the stress it's still a really cool job. Most of the kids I know that work are usually at fast-food joints and in the mall. I'm actually pretty lucky because I'm not here at night.
